Cancer
June 21 - July 21
As we move into the Summer Solstice, we enter the astrological sign of Cancer from June 21st - July 22nd. In ancient times, the Summer Solstice was the moment when the soul moved into the body and a turning point in the year. From this point on, the influence of the Sun begins to wane as the days slowly begin to grow shorter and the Moon regains her favor as the nights grow longer. At this inflection point of masculine solar energy and feminine lunar energy, the zodiac sign of Cancer is born.
People born between June 21st and July 22nd are highly empathetic, deeply sensitive, and extremely loyal partners. Cancer is ruled by the Moon which governs our emotional body and how we react to our inner emotions and our outer home life, environment, and family. Cancer is symbolized by the mother who is the nurturer and caregiver. She is the natural provider and giver of the emotions and traditional family values. Those born under Cancer are known for their gentleness and wearing their hearts on their sleeves. At the same time, Cancer is no pushover. It is downright ruthless when it comes to protecting the ones they love. A Cancer would much rather be a lover than a fighter, but they have no problems becoming a fighter if the situation calls for it.
Cancer’s element is water, its mode is Cardinal, and its symbol is the tough little sea crab, symbol of the moon, intuition, shifting moods, and self-protection. The sea crab spells it all out: strong on the outside and soft on the inside. They have a tenacity that is unparalleled, as they can be fierce when it comes to protecting family, friends, and their home. Cancer is a Cardinal sign, which means it is motivated to lean into life and act. As a water sign, Cancers are intuitive but can be swayed in the moment when they absorb the emotions of those around them. Just like their element water, Cancers’ emotions ebb and flow.
Ready to plumb the depths of the Cancer psyche? Read on to uncover the rich layers of energies, symbols, planetary influences, personality, quirks, and compatibility of this intense and mysterious force of nature.
| Cancer Mode + Element | Cancer Ruling Planet | Self-Discovery | Cancer Spirit Animal |
| Cardinal, Water | Moon | Achieved Through Understanding Emotions | Fox |
| Cancer House | Cancer Colors | Cancer Symbol | Cancer Crystals |
| Fourth | White, Cream & Yellow | Crab | Opal, Pearl, or Moonstone |
| Cancer Tarot Card | Cancer Lucky Numbers | Cancer Body Parts | Cancer Lucky Days |
| The Chariot | 2,7 | Chest, Stomach | Sunday, Monday |
| Cancer Chakra | Cancer Biggest Fear | Cancer Guiding Principle | Best Pet for Cancer |
| Third Eye | Loveless Life | I Feel | American Bulldog |
Click here for your daily Cancer horoscope.
Cancer is represented by the crab, who carries its home on its back and retreats into its shell when feeling vulnerable. There are many parallels that make this symbolism fitting, but first a little more history behind Cancer symbolism is in order. The Scarab beetle, a sacred totem for the soul, was the symbol for Cancer for the Ancient Egyptians. Ancient Greeks held the turtle or tortoise as the symbol for Cancer. A blending of Mediterranean cultures occurred at the time of Alexander the Great, at which time the hard-shelled creature with the soulful interior came to be symbolized by the crab.
The crab symbol meaning is fitting, for like Cancer, they are most at home in their home, their refuge and retreat. They hate confrontation, so they'll hide out till the coast is clear. Watch them go after what they want, though, and they'll zig-zag sideways with determination; Cancers tend to be indirect. Soulful, imaginative, and sensitive to a fault, under their hard-shell exterior they're fearful of being rejected. Naturally pacifists, they're not push-overs either. Threaten their loved ones, and like their namesake crab, they'll use their pincers to tear apart their prey and eat it.
"Cancers tend to act with their hearts and not with their hands." #CancerQuotes
Cancer Season is influenced by its Element, Water, and its Mode, which is Cardinal. If you are a Cancer, you'll experience these forces acting directly upon your personality, and if you're not a Cancer, you'll benefit by the energy of Cancer Season supporting you in your endeavors.
To understand the gifts of Cancer Season, reflect for a moment on a perfect summer day. The warmth has us coming out our shells a bit as we immerse ourselves in summer fun. Then, oh, those summer nights! There’s something especially magical about them, as short as they are, inviting you to trace the shape of the moon and the stars against the evening sky. Cancer Season invites us to be open to the magic that surrounds us, appreciating the lushness of the world and the connections we make with other people.
The Moon, a force of feminine mystery and influence, rules Cancer Season. Cancer Season is a time to celebrate the maternal figures in your life and embrace home and family, be that family of origin, or family of choice. Cancer Season is also a time to retreat into sentimentality; comforting and nostalgic family traditions are the order of the day. Bake the cookies of your childhood, pack a picnic, or cook for a crowd; this is a season for nurturing close relationships by feeding the heart, body, and soul.
As oceans and rivers offer a refreshing respite from hot temperatures, so Cancer ushers in the first Water Element of the astrological year, plunging us into the full range of our feelings with heightened sensitivity. These waters aren't the silly, splashy waters of summer sprinklers and water slides, however. Water energy is more mysterious, powerful, deep, and uncontained. Think of the tides of the mighty ocean, governed by the Moon, with powerful undertows you can't see from the surface, and waves that crash into the shore -- that's the water energy of Cancer Season! You can choose to surf the waves of your emotions, or you can channel them into a mighty force, but either way, Cancer Season calls you to feel them.
Like water, emotions are meant to flow freely and not get dammed up, one of the karmic lessons of the season and for this zodiac sign. To swim in Cancer's waters, go ahead and dig into those self-help books, attend a workshop, see a therapist, get a psychic reading, meditate with crystals -- do whatever it takes to manage the emotional forces that are unleashed by Cancer Season in a healthy and self-loving way! Cancer Season calls forth empathy and emotional intelligence, so it's the perfect time to practice putting yourself into another's shoes and seeing the world through their perspective. Everyone can benefit from the energy of Cancer Season, by allowing themselves to feel their feelings and doing the emotional work to make their life flow a little better.
We were all cradled in the water of the womb before we were born. Like water, Cancer is nurturing and protective. Gentle Cancer loves creating safe spaces where others feel like they can lay down their worries and just breathe. Spending time with Cancer feels like coming home again. Most Cancers want nothing more than to live peacefully, surrounded by the ones they love.
Cancer's element is Water, and like the ocean, it relies on the power of the moon to regulate its emotional tides. Without the moon, the ocean would overrun the Earth; with the moon, there is a natural cycle of ebb and flow. As one of the most emotional signs of the zodiac, Cancers could well allow their emotions to overpower their intellect; it is important that they learn to work with their intuitive nature as their guiding moon.
Water takes the shape of any container into which it is poured. Cancer's watery moon knows no boundaries. Cancers have a tendency to so fully immerse themselves in the emotional lives of others that they lose sight of their own needs and even identity. As a result, Cancers can become moody, impulsive, and reactive to the slightest trigger, sometimes feeling themselves personally caught up in the middle of situations that may actually have very little to do with them. On the flip side, water enables Cancer to take the emotional well-being of others into account, making them some of the most caring and supportive people you'll ever meet.
Cancer Mode is Cardinal, meaning that it starts the new season. Although Cancers are ruled by Water, an energy that encourages emotion, Cancer's Cardinal mode gives them the power and initiative to embark on new projects without their emotions clouding their goals. While strong emotions may cause you to retreat to your shell (others will call this sulking), you simply need some time to get back in touch with yourself before your naturally sunny disposition breaks through and you re-emerge to zig-zag forward with determination.
The gift of the Cardinal mode is initiative; its weakness is haste. Cancers can rush into new romance based on their emotions, and in doing so over-ride their intuition (another karmic lesson for this sign to master). The flip side of this quality is that they can harness the momentum and tenacity of their Cardinal mode to go after their goals, and little, if anything will stop them.
Although it technically isn’t a planet, the Moon is considered to be the ruler of Cancer. This means that for people born in Cancer, both the Sun and the Moon are in the same sign at once, and the Moon is “at home.” Thus, the influence of the Moon is amplified. The Sun governs our ego and identity, and the Moon governs those aspects of ourselves we tend to only reveal in private, including our most vulnerable emotional energies, instinctual reactions, and emotional needs. This is why emotion, empathy, and nurturing are such strong and recognizable aspects of this sign, because they show up in Cancer’s identity as well as in their private, emotional landscape. The Moon’s associations of grace, beauty, and femininity rub off on Cancer. There is something of the otherworldly or mysterious that seems to drape itself around Cancer like a shimmering veil.
The Moon waxes and wanes as it orbits the Earth, and a Cancer's internal rhythm is similarly cyclical, instinctual, and intuitive. But the Moon has other associations too, like moodiness and changeability. Emotion-ruled Cancers prioritize their hearts above everything. There is a pattern to their logic, just the way there is a pattern to the Moon's phases. But you need to really know and understand the ebb and flow of Cancer's feelings to untangle it completely. If as a Cancer, you allow external influences to drive you, you're likely to get out of balance and risk losing yourself, especially when done out of love. Retreat to your inner home to reconnect to your feelings, and you will instinctually know what you need to do to regain your natural rhythm.
The Fourth House of the zodiac symbolizes the home and family - how you grew up, what is your family lineage, how you ‘mother’ nurture yourself and others. This is a house that deals with ideas of community too. Who is in your ‘chosen family’? What do you choose to safeguard or protect for the benefit of your family? Planets who are positioned in the Fourth House at your time of birth reveal something about the relationship you have to a mother figure, as well as the way you approach home and family life.
Born with the Sun in the Fourth House, Cancer is comforted and inspired by domesticity. Owning a home close to family or friends provides the sense of security this sign craves. Filling it with family photographs, heirlooms, sentimental mementos, and the smell of home-cooked meals on the stove goes without saying.
Cancer needs to establish a sense of home and family with others who are warm and familiar. If a Cancer lives alone, they're likely to have a pet or two. If a Cancer is married, they're likely to have or plan to have children. If a Cancer has elderly relatives, they're likely to act as caregivers. Creating a home life that is both comfortable and peaceful is vitally important to this sign's emotional equilibrium. Through all these key relationships, Cancers have a knack of remaining in synch with everyone's feelings, sensing the slightest change which makes it difficult for them to concentrate on anything else until the matter is addressed.
"A Cancer can pick up the slightest changes in someone, before they even realize that they got caught." #CancerQuotes
All the astrological factors come together to define the pattern of Cancer traits and characteristics that make up their personality. While Cancer characteristics may be expressed in nuanced ways based on common social patterns of gender, the basic construct can be universally applied to understand Cancer men and Cancer women alike.
The Cancer personality is easy to spot. They're either patiently listening to all your troubles with a comforting "I understand" and a hot cup of tea, or managing the office with a firm, mother hen-like, hand. They're motivated by the desire to nurture others and offer them care, protection, and a cozy home. They absorb others' feelings like a sponge and readily assume emotions, while being oblivious to practical matters like the pile of clothes collecting on the floor. (They're notoriously messy). They hope to receive the same degree of unconditional love and nurturing that they give out and may worry that a partner who doesn't match their emotional intensity doesn't love them enough.
If you're a Cancer, you likely struggle with codependency and boundaries. Being so dependable, sensitive, and accommodating, you need to learn to differentiate between your own moods and feelings and those of others so that you don't project your emotions onto them. With your strong drive to nurture, you may find that you attract emotionally needy people who require constant support and attention and neglect your own needs in the process of attending to theirs. With your willingness to take responsibility, you may struggle to define where to draw the line. Your need to be needed can entangle you in unequal relationships.
If there's a Cancer in your life, you know that they can be moody, sometimes crabby, and at those times it's best to give them the space to withdraw and recenter. Cancers need time to calm their emotional storms and regain their equilibrium, lest they overreact when their feelings are running high. You may have experienced the sudden explosion of complaints from a Cancer, silent grudges you never knew they were harboring, and random frustrations that are suddenly revealed as their tipping point. But you also know that a Cancer's devotion is fierce, so that despite all their water and moon energy, they are very protective of their loved ones and will do everything in their power to maintain a stable and secure home.
Your Cancer friends and lovers will be deeply appreciative of a listening ear. Make no assumptions that their needs are fully met just because they're not calling attention to them. Pay attention to their emotional needs and you will have a contented crab.
"Cancer is known as the sign that just can't let go." #CancerQuotes
Aside from all this emotional intensity, Cancers are charming, funny, and sappily sentimental in the most goofy and endearing ways. They love playing host/hostess and do everything in their power to make sure everyone is comfortable and cared for. Cancer is likely to be the family photographer, genealogical researcher, gourmet chef, family reunion organizer, PTA officer, and parent to crawl around on the floor building castles out of bedsheets with their children. Or they’re planning a romantic getaway to a charming destination that includes quaint antique and artisan shops, because they love the emotional resonance of things that are hand-crafted or vintage.
Cancers are collectors, and will hold onto scraps, mementos, and reminders of the past, but need to guard against living in the past. Cancer tends to look backward when making decisions, reacting to what has happened before rather than what is important in the present. What Cancer fears is being let down emotionally. In that sense, Cancers like to live dangerously as they often commit with their whole heart before they’ve had time to consider things fully. If hurt, Cancer has a tendency to rehash what happened and hold onto grudges rather than let them go. When handled with tender, loving care, this Crab is one of the most compassionate, kind, and loving signs of the zodiac.
The romantic Cancer man feels emotions deeply in a relationship and wants the reciprocation of a partner who understands him on an emotional level, particularly when it comes to his need for security. He is quite protective of his heart and home and can easily become wounded or defensive if the person with whom he is in a committed relationship does not understand him emotionally. Because he so naturally understands others, he expects that they will intuit his feelings to the same degree, and he'll become silently disappointed if they don't.
The Cancer man comes across as a stable, safe partner who would like to spoil his lover or partner with attention and to fully satisfy them in every way. Indeed, he is the perfect gentleman who can sweep you off your feet as he is quite composed and cool on the outside but brewing with emotions and eroticism on the inside. He's not going to let just anyone in to see his vulnerabilities (and an evolved Cancer man is extremely aware of all of them), but he'll strike you as sensitive and sentimental. He will be the one who remembers every anniversary and always know your favorite type of flower. Cancer men pay attention to the little things that make life sweet. As a sign that balances male and female energies, his love-making is tender and soulful.
It takes some time for the Cancer man to reveal his deeper layers, and it's essential that he do so at his own pace. As one of the most sensitive men in the zodiac, he's a bit reserved till you really get to know him. With a naturally kind and loving nature, and a dry and witty sense of humor, you can be certain that anything that passes for sharpness or sarcasm is an attempt to hide his true feelings with humor. He would be mortified to know that a joke was taken the wrong way, as good manners and traditions are important values to him.
You can read more about the rewards and challenges of Loving a Cancer Man in this article by Psychic Iris which further describes Cancer man characteristics.
With the Moon as her ruling planet, the personality traits of the Cancer woman embody graciousness and allure. Spending a few minutes with her feels as welcoming as a cup of hot cocoa on a winter’s day. She is adept at putting friends and lovers at ease. But know that what she really needs is someone to feel like home to her.
Like her male counterpart, the Cancer woman is sentimental and often has many precious mementos around her home she’d run into a fire to save. People are drawn to her easy-going nature that hints at depths she will reveal in time. All Cancers share a high degree of empathy and responsibility, instinctively understanding what people need and devoted to caring for those whom they love. She spoils her beloved with domestic bliss, preparing nourishing meals, acting as a sounding board, soothing ruffled feathers, freely offering affection.
The Cancer woman is a peaceful soul who hates confrontation. She can dance around issues in the interest of being diplomatic. Caring and accommodating, she tends to put her own needs last and bottle up emotions silently until she reaches a breaking point. Though her moods are as changeable as the phases of the moon, she guards her feelings, partly for self-protection, and partly because she's more comfortable in the role of confidante than confider. She's actually quite shy about expressing her feelings aloud. She may dwell on hurts long after everyone else has forgotten, and then respond in indirect or passive-aggressive ways. Private, discreet, and loyal, Cancer is also the sign of the mistress. (Camilla, Prince Charles' current wife & mistress of many years, had over 5 planets in Cancer.) But most often, she's the very archetype of the good wife and devoted mother.
A Cancer woman prefers to see a spark of something before she makes a move. But once she does, you’ll find she’s an ardent and attentive lover. She’ll appreciate any small details you put into courting her, like remembering the song that played in the background on your first meeting. Paying attention to the little things is the way to her heart.
In her most private and intimate moments, her passionate and compassionate nature unite, and the sex is soulful and sensitive. The Cancer woman needs a partner who keeps the romance alive, lest her maternal instincts begin to take over the partnership dynamic, leaving her nostalgic or bitter for the passionate romance she experienced in the past.
"Don't take the kindness of Cancer for granted." #CancerQuotes
Cancer strengths are as sweet, devoted, nurturing individuals who want to create a circle of warmth around the people they care for the most in their lives. There’s something of an old-fashioned charm that clings to them. Perhaps it’s their gentle ways and understanding smiles that make you think of the best sit-com mom and dads. They also have a knack for recalling specific things about people, such as their likes and dislikes , and put that knowledge to work when it comes to caring for them. Unsurprisingly, they are amazing gift-givers.
Gifted with extraordinary emotional and intuitive insight, Cancer always seems to have a shoulder ready for you to cry on when you need to. They are known for having a goofy sense of humor, which they use to bring levity to emotionally charged situations at just the right moments. Once you’ve gained their trust, they’ll go out of their way to make sure you know how much they care.
Their love of responsibility is a tremendous asset because they will do all that it takes to ensure the safety and security of their home and family. On the flip side, they need to learn to differentiate between those things for which they are truly responsible and those for which others are accountable.
There’s a darker streak in Cancer’s sweetness. Less actualized Cancers can find themselves being victims to their emotions and can be oversensitive to criticism. What seems like a mild critique to one person can feel devastating to a Cancer. A Cancer who feels unappreciated or jealous is likely to retreat into their shell and refuse to talk about it. Cancers especially get moody when they feel that they’ve taken so much care to understand everyone else’s feelings and no one bothers to understand theirs. They also paint themselves as a martyr when people try to insist on a little space.
Another Cancer weakness is a tendency to micromanage people. Cancer’s love for others can sometimes cross the line into co-dependency or smothering. Fear can also make them clingy and suspicious. They can be easily manipulated by a friend or family member’s tale of hardship and woe and become enablers in a dysfunctional relationship.
The growth opportunity for Cancer is to take responsibility for how emotional and sensitive they are. One way for them to do this is by learning to differentiate between their feelings and emotions. Feelings provide valuable insight into the circumstances around you, while emotions are transitory experiences meant to flow through you. Cancers can tend to get these confused. Just because you experience an emotion doesn't make your subjective experience objectively true. Your journey to understanding feelings and emotions will help you see things for what they are.
This is how you will learn to recognize the difference between what is yours and not yours. As you master this, you'll begin to understand that your emotions don't have to control you; by learning to exercise the power of thought, you can manage your emotions like the moon manages the tides. Perhaps most importantly, even when emotion clouds your judgment, know that you have a highly intuitive nature which, when applied in a loving and gentle way towards your own feelings, the way you do naturally for others, will lead you to your inner truth.
"Cancer always expects the same level of love they so freely give others." #CancerQuotes
As a friend, Cancer is the kindly soul who will offer you their hand when you’re feeling down. They’ll be over with a pint of ice cream for both of you when you need to have a vent session about work or your love life. Cancer is really good at sorting out the emotional details for others, and often keenly insightful about the best way to proceed. They are good at being non-judgmental but do take care to tread gently around issues they are sensitive about since they lose all objectivity where those are concerned. Cancers are the kind of friend you can feel safe to cry with.
When it comes to love, they need exclusive relationships to flourish. Cancer is vulnerable and needs emotional security to take the crabbiness out of the crab. Cancer's motto is, "Tell me what you want and I'll give it to you -- so you don't leave me." Because Cancer needs emotional attachment, they can project a charismatic persona with a wicked sense of humor. They can be playful and even flirtatious but don't be fooled---with their deep feelings they can rush headlong into commitment. This makes them test relationships. They can manipulate and play games with passive-aggressive behavior to see if you really love them. Complicated... oh yes! To win a Cancer's heart, remember the little things like cards, flowers, or small gifts for no other reason than to show you are thinking of them.
In dating, a Cancer hopes for their date to initiate things, but will make a move if they detect a spark between them. Cancer may date around, but they are closer to ‘serial monogamists’ in that they always hope (even if it's secretly) the person they are with will be ‘the one’. They will have an almost uncanny way of sensing your emotions, and conversations with them will feel like you are really being heard.
Cancer likes getting to know everything about you to gauge what your chances for true emotional intimacy are. Without that connection, Cancer isn’t interested in staying longer than they have to. They’ll expect that emotional connection to stay strong and well maintained too, or they will go looking for it somewhere else. They aren’t cheaters by nature, but their hearts can be lured away by someone willing to listen to them.
Cancers love dates involving food, outdoor activities especially near water, and romance. A Cancer will play the part of the perfect gentleman or lady when dating and appreciate all the traditional gestures which come with these roles. They're attracted to people who exude confidence, but also show affection by hugging, holding hands, and looking deep into their eyes. They'll fall for the person who truly enjoys spending cozy nights at home with their special someone.
Cancer doesn’t need fancy dates to be happy, but they do need ones that show that some thought was put behind them. Incorporate their favorite things (songs, flowers, fragrance) or symbols of touchstones of your relationship history (the first movie you saw as a couple, your first meal together). Let your Cancer feel seen and heard when you plan activities for your romantic getaways.
To win over Cancer, tell them your darkest secrets. Without being pushy, be the kind of person who demonstrates that you can hear theirs when they're ready. It's important to make Cancer feel safe and comfortable enough for them to relax and let down their guard, for while they appear to be comfortable in the world of emotion, that comfort does not extend to mastery of their own inner landscape. By being attentive without pushing and demonstrating your respect for what's most important to them, you'll earn their affection and love. Remember that Cancer can sense insincerity, so be genuine with your compliments. Cancer wants to build a trustworthy, committed relationship based on sharing innermost emotions and desires with one another.
For those born under the Cancer Sun Sign, love means creating the perfect home for them and their lover. They are traditionalists at heart, and even if their daydreams don’t involve a picket fence in suburbia, they really long for the comfort and stability of a long term, committed relationship. Sometimes they’ll over-idealize their partner, glossing over their faults in the hope of achieving that dream. They need to make sure that take time to get reality checks so they aren’t staying in a situation that isn’t healthy for them.
Cancers expect to be protected, to feel like their partner has their back. They have high ideals for their partner's ability to handle their emotions with gentle care. Cancer's expectations of a partner are influenced by the bond that they had as a child with their own mother. If they had a close attachment, they may unconsciously recreate this a clingy or dependent closeness that may smother a more independent partner. On the other hand, if their mother was absent or emotionally distant, they may have trust issues that make it even harder for them to open up.
Do not make them jealous because they can't handle it. Cancer's pattern is to go into their cave and hide after an argument. Then out of the blue, they'll emerge to communicate about something completely unrelated to what transpired. What does it all mean? They're checking things out, just like the little sea crab does. This doesn't necessarily mean an apology is coming (highly unlikely) or that they're going to sit down and share the feelings that transpired while hidden within their protective shell (also unlikely). That would feel too confrontative. Instead, they'll just start all over again with a clean slate, and poof, the problem is gone.
If a Cancer does decide to give you their heart, take it, because that true devotion is a rare, sweet gift.
Cancer is a receptive and intuitive lover who is happy to hone in on what gives you pleasure. They are confident and quite sensual. Because they’re so private, they’ll opt for the bedroom or even bathroom (bathtub, shower) over the living room sofa or heaven forbid, a public venue. Thanks to their intuitive natures, Cancers understand their partner’s needs and will do their best to fulfill them. They delight in imaginative foreplay that combines talk and touch. They have sensitive skin and love being caressed and massaged. But remember, if you want to please your Cancer lover as much as they please you, you need to appeal to their emotions. Physicality without a strong dash of romance feels cold to them. Take time to set the scene, especially in a way that feels personal to them. Cancers are ardent lovers but will get morose after repeated encounters that just feel like you are going through the motions and not reinforcing your connection.
"Cancers are not risk takers except in love, where they see no boundaries or limits." #CancerQuotes
Warm and loving, the most compatible signs with Cancer are other Water signs, like Scorpio and Pisces, and Earth signs with whom they can create beautiful new growth, like Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. The least compatible signs with Cancer are Fire and Air Signs - Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius, and Aries. A particularly challenging attraction is Cancer and Libra, because while Cancer is attracted to Libra’s flirtatiousness and Libra to Cancer’s romantic nature, their sensitivities drain the energy from their relationship, with Cancer needing constant reassurance from Libra, and Libra coming to feel that Cancer is emotionally selfish.
Keep in mind that compatibility is driven by more than your Sun Sign and its associated Element and Mode. Knowing where the Ascendant, Moon, and Venus appear in your chart and that of your partner or person of interest can help you understand zodiac combability at a deeper level as these positions can mitigate or overcome incompatibility at the Sun Sign level.
Two Cancers can set up quite the cozy household! Both appreciate how strong a role emotion and sentimentality has in each other’s life. There is nothing more magical than when they are in sync with each other’s moods and needs. But when they fall out of synch their fairy tale romance can turn sour. And it can take quite some time after arguments for either of them to stop feeling bruised enough to start fixing their issues. But if they can remember the strength of the loving bond that brought them together in the first place, there isn’t much they can’t face together.
Accommodating Cancer has some very intense chemistry with take-charge Scorpio. And both have a fundamental need for trust in a relationship; it will never, ever work with someone who they don’t trust completely. Scorpio needs to curb any tendencies it may have to play armchair psychiatrist with Cancer when they are in one of their moods. Scorpios are just as sensitive in their own way but need to tell the difference between when Cancer wants listening or wants something to be fixed. And Cancer needs to not take Scorpio’s need for alone time as a warning sign that their relationship is doomed. They need to understand that as a fellow sign with a hard shell but soft interior, Scorpio isn’t purposely keeping secrets as much as they are protecting their heart.
Cancer and Pisces are a loving and nurturing combination. Both are hopeless romantics trying to create a soft space for themselves in a hard world. They respect each other’s sensitiveness and will do all they can to support each other emotionally. But Pisces’ free-spirited side can get Cancer fretting. Practicality isn’t exactly Pisces’ strong suit, and Cancer needs to know their partner will be there for them. Pisces will wiggle right out of your fingers if they feel they are being held too hard, which unfortunately is Cancer’s default mode when they start to feel anxious about a relationship. Paying attention to each other’s expectations and needs can overcome these issues though, and lead to a very happy relationship.
These two signs go together like peanut butter and jelly. Both make having a happy home and family life a priority. And they are both signs that love to indulge their beloved. Is there anything that could mar the bliss between two signs so hard-wired for domestic devotion? Well, there’s Taurus’ legendary stubbornness for one, not to mention the bull’s bluntness. Those can wreck sensitive Cancer! Also, Cancer’s mood swings can baffle pragmatic Taurus who has no idea what’s setting them off this time. Taurus needs to learn to be more in tune with the emotional undercurrents in the relationship, and Cancer needs to understand that just because Taurus doesn’t always make a big show of things, it doesn’t mean they don’t care.
Both Cancer and Virgo have soothing presences and an appreciation of how the small things in life often turn out to be the foundations on which bigger things are built. You will never see either of them be dismissive of the details or take the smallest thing for granted. However, Virgo’s eye for the details makes them prone to being critical which of course can make Cancer want to roll up into a ball and cry. And any attempts by Cancer to micromanage come across as borderline insulting to the Virgo who always has their time and space arranged to their liking. Both need to give the other room to be themselves and respect that if their partner isn’t doing things the way they’d prefer, it doesn’t automatically mean that they are wrong.
Capricorn’s strong work ethic often makes it possible for Cancer’s dreams of a perfect home to come true. And Cancer makes their shared home a wonderful oasis of tranquility after a hard day’s work. Capricorn’s practicality grounds Cancer, while Cancer’s tenderness smooths out Capricorn’s harder edges. And sexually, there are some definite fireworks happening between these two. But Capricorn can get put off by what it sees as Cancer’s clinginess and inexplicable moodiness. And Cancer might get nervous if Capricorn’s workaholic tendencies seem to be getting more attention than their relationship. Both sides have to learn to give a little. Cancer isn’t going to get less emotional and Capricorn isn’t going to give up their goals. They need to learn to value how the other’s strengths complement their own weaknesses.
Getting an astrology reading is the best way to predict zodiac compatibility.
Cancers are naturally amazing parents. They seem to have an innate parenting instinct and understand their children’s emotional world. They are always ready with a kiss and a cookie for when their child needs a sympathetic ear. But there are times when Cancer can overdo the June Cleaver thing and invest too much of their personality around their role as a parent to the detriment of both them and their child. If you’re a Cancer parent, be sure to give your children the space they need to grow.
The positive qualities of a Cancer mother are empathy, protectiveness, and gentleness. Challenges for the Cancer mother are anxiousness, clinginess, and a martyr complex. A Cancer mother will move heaven and earth if she feels it will help her children. But she sometimes will let her fears of the worst-case scenario traumatize her into becoming a helicopter parent. A Cancer mother will nurture her children best when she does not attempt to shield them from what may in fact be her own worst fears that have nothing to do with her child.
Positive qualities of the Cancer father include tenderness, sensitivity, and emotional availability. Challenges for the Cancer father are moodiness, passive-aggressiveness, and an inability to notice when their child has grown up. Cancer fathers live for the days when can introduce their small ones to cherished family traditions. But they also dread the moment when the small ones become big enough to manage without them. For the Cancer father, teaching your children to go out into the world can be the best way to offer them the benefit of your nurturing and protection.
"Cancer works very hard to finish goals that were inspired by feelings. If they aren't feeling it, it isn't getting done." #CancerQuotes
Cancers are team players. They aren’t fans of being the face of a project but excel at being the glue that holds a team together. Cancer doesn’t like to make waves, but if they do speak up pay attention. They usually have excellent instincts. They are also very loyal to the group or team they are on, taking a lot of personal pride when everyone succeeds. If Cancer is a supervisor or business owner, they will strive to create a feeling of closeness or even family with the employees. Cancer’s observation skills and warmth makes them skilled networkers. Prospective clients look forward to working with them.
Cancers excel in fields where the human touch is an essential part of the job, like nursing or teaching. You’ll find them flourishing in the hospitality industry as well. Cancer also has a heart that is drawn to nostalgia or tradition. Work that deals directly with history appeals to them too.
Cancer has a frugal but not stingy nature. They’re always on guard for anything that might destabilize the peace of their homer, so they often set aside a discrete nest egg for unexpected expenses. They also know how to make do with what they have on hand and can be surprisingly resourceful in a pinch.
Cancer doesn’t care about status symbols or luxury. They’ll hold on to a threadbare couch because it was the first one they bought with their own money rather than get a new one. But they do care about comfort and the comfort of those who share their space and will spend a little more to have it. Cancers are amazing when it comes to picking out gifts and seem to know exactly what will make their friends and loved ones happy.
Like their fellow water signs, Cancers enjoy an amazing depth of intuition. Because reading and understanding emotions is second nature to them, they have startling accurate hunches. If a Cancer tells you they have a bad feeling about something it’s a good idea to take them seriously. At the same time, one of the key lessons for Cancer is to learn to discern between what is real information, based on intuitive feeling, and what is an emotional response to a specific situation. The more Cancer develops this discernment, the more they are able to differentiate between insight and projection. Mastery of this lesson can spare many a heartache for this watery sign.
Cancer is associated with the chest, breast , and stomach, and health concerns often manifest there first. Stomach upsets, gastrointestinal complaints, asthma, bronchitis, flu, cough, and eating disorders are common Cancer complaints.
To tame the butterflies in their stomach, Cancer needs time to relax. To stay emotionally balanced, both laughter and a spiritual mindfulness practice like yoga and meditation can do wonders. Cancers love to relax with loved ones by playing a game, having a good conversation, or simply watching TV together. They get a lot of pleasure from homely and simple comfort food. So don’t be surprised if Cancer reaches for a box of instant mac n’ cheese because it was their childhood favorite. That said, it's important for Cancer to check in with their emotional state before reaching for snacks, as the desire for comfort and security can prompt both stress and comfort eating with resulting weight problems. Fortunately, this sign is attracted to fruits and vegetables!
On weekends, Cancer prefers outdoor group activities as opposed to solitary ones. But they tend to shy away from anything that can turn too competitive. Bicycle rides with the family, dance classes, or hiking with a friend is more their speed. Though really Cancer is so happy to spend time with people they care about, they’ll put up with a less preferred activity as long as it means time spent together. Cancer just needs to make sure they don’t overdo it or exercise at an intensity they aren’t ready for just to be part of the group. Cancers are made for comfort, not for speed.
The Third Eye Chakra, located in the center of the forehead, is the natural match for intuitive Cancer. An open Third Eye Chakra can help with clear thought and intuition, while a blocked Third Eye Chakra can lead to a lack of imagination and sleep problems.
Cancer is happiest when they can maintain a loving space for the people closest to them. This is why Cancer’s purpose in life is to foster emotional connection and understanding. Cancer needs to be certain that their loved ones have what they need to truly thrive. When they are happy, Cancer is happy.
Because the flip side of a Cancer’s nature is a tendency to be too attached to particular people or outcomes to their own detriment, a mantra such as “I am worthy of the love and care I desire for others” would be a positive reminder that self-care is important.
| Food | It’s all about comfort. Cancer doesn’t need a lobster when a bowl of tomato soup and cheese sandwich will do. |
| Fashion | Cancer gets attached to clothing too. They sometimes need to be encouraged to spruce up their look. When that happens, they tend to gravitate to low key classics rather than anything too flashy. |
| Color-Palette | Cancers are stunners in silver and white. But they also look well in colors that evoke the sea, like Mediterranean blue, or ocean green. |
| Cancer Luck | Cancers are lucky when it comes to finding unique items at thrift stores or boutiques. |
| Halloween Costume | Iconic matriarchs or patriarchs from TV sit-coms are a fun choice for Cancer, like Carol and Mike Brady, June and Ward Clever, or Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. Cancers also love coordinating group costumes, like the Avengers or the Scooby gang. |
| Travel Destination | A Cancer will enjoy any vacation spent with people they care about. That being said, romantic getaways to rustic a rustic bed and breakfast are always appreciated. If you want to make a grand gesture, consider Washington D.C. or Kyoto during cherry blossom season, or Paris, the city of romance. |
| Gifts for Cancer |
With Cancer, it truly is the thought that counts the most. Your gifts to them should be steeped in sentiment or appeal to their desire for comfort.
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Your Moon Sign describes your emotional energies, instinctual reactions, and what you need to feel emotionally complete. The Moon is especially at home in Cancer as its ruling planet, described as being "exalted" in this position. If your Moon is in Cancer, you feel most fully alive when you are making heart connections with people. You draw from your deep knowing, enhanced by the moons' light and are extra sensitive to other's feelings. This may leave you feeling like a raw nerve at times, but the intense satisfaction you feel when your spiritual and emotional world is in harmony with the physical and logical world is all worth it. You find a lot of pleasure in celebrating your sensuality as well.
Your Rising Sign, or Ascendant, describes how you appear to others, as well as how you go about getting what you want. If you're a Cancer Rising, you may appear to the world as the perfect mom, or at least a remarkable 'mom friend', who knows exactly what to do or say to comfort others or help them when they are stuck. People see you as having amazing levels of intuition and often turn to you when they need a non-judgmental friend to let them know everything is going to be OK. You may have a reputation for being over-sentimental or attached to the past, but just trust that some things need to be let go of in order to attract better things to your life.
The position of Venus in your astrological chart describes how you relate to others romantically. The appeal of Venus in Cancer men and women is in their capacity to give their all in the name of love. You can sweep potential lovers off their feet with your romantic nature. If you have Venus in Cancer in your chart, you may be a bit anxious about trusting people. What if you get hurt? Once you open up enough to trust someone with your heart, you love with wild abandon.
"A Cancer knows how to make anywhere feel like home." #CancerQuotes
If you're a Cancer or have Cancer in your astrological chart, you've probably recognized yourself in these descriptions. Now it's time to apply Cancer wisdom to your life -- the situations you're facing, the decisions you need to make, and the possibilities yet to be revealed. An astrologer can guide you through all this and more, building on the Cancer Awareness you have from reading this guide.
